The Guardians (Book 2) (33 page)

‘
We just need to get them in there,’ said Tiernan. ‘There’s a portcullis at the waterfall end of the cavern, and another at the other end. If we can get them into the cavern we can trap them.’

‘
The mechanism for the portcullis near the waterfall is inside the cavern,’ Danil pointed out.

‘
By this time tomorrow it won’t be,’ Tiernan declared. ‘We need to move it without them being aware we are doing so.’

‘
And what’s our plan if we find out you can’t influence them to go into the cavern?’ asked General Marnol.

‘
I don’t know,’ said Tiernan.

‘
Danil, take Borg and Gil and try to work out a fall back plan,’ said Kelian. ‘In fact, work out how else we might use this to our advantage, if we find it works. We shouldn’t restrict our plans to something which has such a limited chance of success.’

‘
How do you intend to test Prince Kelian’s theory?’ General Marnol asked Tiernan.

‘
I’m going to find one of them and try to make him do something,’ said Tiernan simply.

‘
Why haven’t you ever tried it before?’ asked Gilgarry.

‘
Because every time we get close to one of them they’re trying to kill us and we’re trying to kill them,’ said Tiernan sounding annoyed. ‘And believe it or not, it never occurred to me to try. I never even considered it might be possible.’

‘
Strategy just isn’t your strength, is it?’ Gilgarry commented and Tiernan glowered at him crossly.

‘
There is one other matter I wish to speak of, Highness,’ said Tiernan. ‘Something I think you shouldn’t put off any longer, regardless of what has happened here.’

Tiernan
led him back down to the courtyard and he was surprised to see the number of people who had assembled there. Many were crying but all turned towards Kelian expectantly as he moved into the courtyard. Tiernan led him to a raised stone platform. He turned and lifted his hand and the people immediately fell silent. Tiernan laid his sword at Kelian’s feet and everyone in the courtyard knelt.

‘
Prince Kelian, son of King Dannicus and Queen Aithne, acknowledged by your people as rightful heir to the throne of Alkira,’ said Tiernan, beginning the formal speech for the crowning of the King. ‘Do you stand ready to take oath?’

‘
I do,’ said Kelian firmly.

Chapter 39

Rationalization

Dale felt a wave of calm wash over him as he watched the crowd assembled in the courtyard, and he glanced gratefully at Callian, knowing the guardian was using his gift to strengthen his composure. He was surprised and pleased by the response to his request for all citizens to gather at midday. Huge crowds of people were now talking noisily amongst themselves. Children had already found their friends and were playing games together as their mothers chatted happily. Dale wondered how much to tell the people of what was happening. He clapped his hands loudly but no-one paid the slightest attention until Lias gave a piercing whistle.

By the time Dale finished speaking most people were staring at him in shock and some with expressions showing they didn
’t want to believe what they were hearing. But none truly doubted what Dale was telling them was indeed what was happening. There was a moment’s silence then everyone started talking at once. Another whistle from Lias brought everyone’s attention back to Dale and he held up his hands until everyone was once again silent.

‘
As you are aware,’ he said, ‘Princesses Lerise and Jade have been ill. Some of you may not yet know that this was the work of Colonel Jastin who was under the delusion that if the fallen attacked our city, he would be given rule over this land. I won’t give details of his reasons for poisoning the Princesses, but I will say that he has placed us in a dangerous situation. From what guardian General Callian was able to glean from his thoughts, it is clear that he has been reporting to Nandul of Tarl for many months, perhaps even years, and the fallen will now be aware of every minute detail of our defensive strategies and our vulnerabilities.’

‘
Where is the traitor?’ a voice shouted angrily from the crowd.

‘
Dead,’ said Dale coldly.

There was a
stunned silence then Judge Marsa spoke. ‘Colonel Jastin was condemned by his own words,’ he said. ‘He admitted to his attempt to poison the Princesses and he made no secret of the fact that he was feeding information to the fallen. His guilt was established beyond doubt and confirmed by seven citizens in accordance with our laws.’

‘
Where are Duke Li and Princess Elizabeth?’ someone asked.

‘
They escaped from Castle on the ship going to the Dwellings. Unfortunately, it may be difficult or even impossible for anyone to leave the Dwellings, at least until the threat of the Nailmarni has been eliminated,’ Dale stated. ‘Prince Kelian sent me back here to see that the people of Emerald were aware of what was going on and were provided with the best plan for survival.’ He sighed heavily. ‘Colonel Jastin’s treachery has made this no easy task. There is much that needs to be decided, and I would have your thoughts and suggestions before we determine exactly how we are going to handle our precarious situation.’

‘
You want everyone’s suggestions, sir?’ asked Sergeant Kyle incredulously, glancing around the crowded courtyard.

‘
What I propose,’ said Dale ‘is that each family appoints one person to speak on their behalf. That way, everyone else can go home, or back to their business.’ Immediately everyone began talking and Lias glanced at Dale questioningly. Dale shook his head and waited patiently. Within ten minutes there remained a far smaller group of men and women in the courtyard.

‘
The first and most impacting decision we need to make,’ Dale began, ‘is whether we remain here and attempt to defend Emerald, or whether we try to get through to the Dwellings, or to somewhere else.’

‘
Who do you think is going to attack us? The fallen or these Nailmarni people?’ one of the women asked.

‘
Mrs Samil, the fallen will attack soon, and I know the Nailmarni will attack eventually, but I have no idea when,’ said Dale.

For
several hours the people discussed their situation. Some wondered if it was safer to remain within the city walls than to make the dangerous trek east to the Dwellings, but far more were inclined to think it was worth the risky journey to have their families in a place where they were more likely to survive an attack.

‘
How much chance do we have of defending ourselves here at Emerald, in case of attack by the fallen or by the Nailmarni?’ asked Mrs Samil. Dale hesitated and glanced at Callian and then at Lias who shook his head. Mrs Samil frowned. ‘Personally, I think if we have so little chance of survival here, then we should go,’ she said. ‘Unless of course you also think we have no chance of getting through to the Dwellings or elsewhere?’ she added, looking intently at Dale.

‘
Unfortunately I have no idea of the situation at the Dwellings. They may have already been attacked.’

‘
Perhaps we should send some scouts?’ said Sergeant Kyle.

‘
I don’t like to send out any small groups. ‘They’re too likely to be attacked.’

‘
You can send me,’ said Callian confidently.

‘
You could send some of us,’ Lias added, and Physician Loreto watched at him with undisguised concern in her eyes.

‘
I had planned on having the free warriors help to train as many people as possible to defend themselves,’ said Dale.

‘
Shouldn’t that be
our
job?’ asked Sergeant Kyle, frowning at Dale. ‘What exactly do they know that we don’t know about fighting? Granted they are a bit stronger and faster, but I’m sure we can train the citizens.’

‘
You’re right, Kyle,’ said Dale. ‘You are capable of training our citizens to defend themselves. But I want someone to teach everyone how to use every advantage and every possible technique to attack as well as defend. Please don’t misunderstand me. You are very good soldiers. But the free warriors are cunning, wily and absolutely deadly. They’ll know what tactics the fallen might use against us, so they have knowledge of what is our best defense, and they’ve faced the Nailmarni before, so once again they have knowledge we don’t have of what strategies will be most effective to defend ourselves.’

‘
What sort of tactics?’ asked Sergeant Kyle obstinately and Captain Levin frowned at him. ‘I’d like to see one of them
try
to drop
me
to the ground,’ he added challengingly.

‘
Sergeant!’ Captain Levin barked and Kyle’s face reddened.

‘
Sorry Captain,’ he muttered.

‘
Baron Dale, perhaps you might like to have one of the free warriors demonstrate some tactics,’ said Captain Levin. ‘I’m sure Sergeant Kyle would be willing to participate in a small demonstration,’ he added drily, and Kyle’s face lit up as he looked hopefully at Dale.

Dale shrugged.
‘Lias?’ he said and Lias stepped forward, not quite managing to hide his grin as he drew his sword. Sergeant Kyle drew his sword and raised it boldly.

‘
Are you ready, Sergeant?’ asked Lias, doing his best not to smirk.

‘
Definitely,’ replied Kyle, sounding very sure of himself. Lias looked as him for a few seconds and then sheathed his sword. Kyle straightened up. He lowered his sword, wondering why the warrior wasn’t fighting. There was a flash of sun on blade as Lias drew a knife, stepped forward and before Kyle could raise his sword, Lias flicked the knife past his belt. The belt snapped apart and Kyle gave a shout of shock and clutched at his trousers as they began to slide over his hips. Lias ducked as Kyle swung his sword towards him then he kicked out and struck the Sergeant hard between the legs. Kyle dropped like a stone. Lias moved so fast that Dale barely saw him remove the sword from the soldier’s hand. There was a unified shout of shock from the crowd as Kyle froze. Lias stood over him, holding the indignant Sergeant’s sword to his throat. Kyle lay unmoving on the ground, staring up at Lias in shock. Lias stepped backwards, held out his hand and helped Kyle to his feet and then reversed his sword and handed it back to him.

‘
Dale is right,’ he said bluntly. ‘You’re too trusting, too easily distracted, and not nearly mean enough.’

‘
You put your sword away!’ Kyle complained bitterly. He snatched at his trousers as they threatened to desert him, and then quickly tied them a little tighter.

‘
That’s when you should have tried to return me!’ cried Lias. ‘You don’t wait for your enemy to prepare himself!’

‘
You waited for me! You asked me if I was ready!’

‘
I felt sorry for you,’ said Lias drily.

‘
Thank you so much,’ said Kyle huffily. ‘And if I had tried to return you right then? What would have happened?’

‘
I would have taken your sword anyway. You have to stop trying to play fair.’

‘
Again!’ Kyle cried indignantly.

He gripped his sword tightly and made to step forward. There was a flash of movement
and a clash of blades and Kyle found himself flat on his back with the point of Lias’ sword against his throat once again. He huffed angrily and rolled away as Lias lifted the blade.

‘
Again!’ he cried crossly, scrambling to his feed and raising his sword.

‘
Fine,’ said Lias, rolling his eyes.

‘
Just a moment,’ said Callian, feeling Kyle and most of the other soldiers needed a stronger lesson to reinforce understanding of their danger. He reached out and took Lias’ sword. Then he removed the two knives Lias always carried and handed them to Ben. He pulled his shirt off and tied it around Lias head, effectively blinding him.

‘
Have you bathed lately Callian?’ Lias asked sarcastically as the shirt covered his eyes and nose.

‘
Shut up and concentrate or you’re going to be one very embarrassed warrior,’ Callian suggested.

‘
I can’t fight him like that,’ Kyle complained. ‘That’s not fair.’

Lias
crouched slightly and tensed. ‘Battle is never fair, but I’ll go easy on you.’

Kyle took a tentative step towards Lias. Lias moved so fast Kyle hadn
’t even finished lifting his sword before Lias sprang around him and grabbed him from behind. The warrior’s hand closed over Kyle’s own, steering the weapon away from both men. Lias crushed the sword from his grip and with his left hand he whipped Kyle’s fighting knife from its sheath in one swift efficient movement. Kyle slammed forward against the ground with a cry of pain and shock, and a split second later Lias was crouched beside him with Kyle’s own knife pressed against the soldier’s throat. Lias dragged Callian’s shirt away from his face and grinned at Kyle.

‘
How did you know where I was?’ Kyle groaned. ‘If you couldn’t see me, how did you do that?’

‘
I could hear you. You had moved only about six inches to the right of where you were standing when Callian tried to smother me with his incredibly smelly shirt. And you’re predictable. Humans usually are. I knew from what you did before exactly how long I had before your sword came down and I had a fairly good idea of how you would swing at me.’

‘
I suppose we can use any help we can get,’ Kyle admitted grudgingly.

‘
So if these men are staying to help us learn to fight, who’ll go to the Dwellings?’ asked Physician Loreto, her eyes not leaving Lias.

‘
Callian needs to return to the Dwelling regardless of what we do,’ said Dale. ‘He is guardian General and I’m sure Tiernan will be expecting him to return as quickly as possible. Perhaps Captain Levin would be willing to organize a group of soldiers to go with Callian. Not too many.’

‘
Yes sir,’ said Captain Levin. ‘When would you like us to leave?’

‘
Not yet. We might all end up coming with you.’ Dale was silent for a few seconds as he considered their options. ‘No,’ he said eventually. ‘I don’t think we can wait. I want every family to prepare themselves to travel at a moment’s notice. Have clothing, blankets and everything you need packed in carts. Don’t take anything you don’t absolutely need. Make sure you have suitable horses to draw your cart and that you take some fodder for your horses and some food for your family. All fit men and the older boys will begin training with weapons immediately. Captain Levin, we need to know well in advance if anyone is approaching the city. The more warning we have, the better. I’ll leave it up to you how you want to arrange this. Also, please appoint someone to work out our best safe route to the Dwellings, avoiding villages entirely, and an alternative plan if we have to go somewhere else.’

‘
Sergeant Kyle can handle that sir. He’s got some of the best skills in strategy of the entire garrison,’ said Captain Levin. Sergeant Kyle nodded eagerly, seeming to recover a little from his previous embarrassment.

‘
Good,’ said Dale, nodding towards Kyle. ‘Once you have a workable plan, come and find me please. Remember, we have families with small children. We won’t be able to move fast. Physician Loreto, please have one of the warriors teach you how to nurse someone who’s been splashed with Nailmarni blood. Send someone out to gather as much pelgavik as possible.  Also, please make sure you have a complete supply of everything you need to treat wounds if we are attacked. Administrator Kyoredes, could you please ensure our register of citizens is absolutely up to date. If we do leave soon, I don’t want anyone left behind. Judge Marsa, word needs to be taken to anyone living without the city walls. I would encourage everyone to move into the city as quickly as possible. Where’s Baker Ricard?’